218 Squadron Stirling loss 12/3/43

**GlennB** · 3rd October 2008, 16:33

A friend of mines brother was lost on operations on 12th March 1943, whilst flying as a Flight Engineer with 218 Squadron. He was Sergeant Reg Heath from Hutton, Somerset.

He is buried at the Dieppe Canadian Cem, the date being 12/3/43, I believe the unit operated Stirling bombers at that time.

Does anyone on this forum have any further details on the loss of this airman and his crew?

**Henk Welting** · 3rd October 2008, 17:25

Stirling BF343 of 218 Sqn took off 1950 hrs from Downham Market for a raid on Stuttgart and crashed 2 km SW of Dieppe. Besides HEATH also killed and buried same cemetery:
P/O J. MILLWARD - 139491;
Sgt P.P. JOBLING - 1379410;
Sgt D. COLLINS - 1376372;
Sgt J.H. ROSS - 1371363, and
F/Sgt C.J. CAMPBELL - NZ403757.
Sources: Chorley Vol.4 page 73 and 'For Your Tomorrow' (Martyn) Vol.2 page 72.

Henk.

**GlennB** · 3rd October 2008, 17:58

Thank you for that information Henk.

It looks as if the pilot survived?

The men listed in th CWGC site are all the other aircrew trades, except pilot.........

**dennis_burke** · 3rd October 2008, 18:06

Was G A Parkinson RNZAF also a crew member?

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/30607.detail

Dennis

**AlanW** · 3rd October 2008, 18:16

Flt/Sgt G.A. Parkinson was the pilot of this aircraft and was also killed.
Regards......Alan.

**Dick** · 3rd October 2008, 18:18

Dennis
From Chorley, Parkinson RNZAF was the pilot and Chorley records that he also died with his crew.
Regards
Dick

**Arthur Arculus** · 3rd October 2008, 21:47

Hello Glen,
The two NZdr's :-
NZ41931 P/O. Gerald Andrew PARKINGSON RNZAF Age 21 571 Hours 22 Operation. (Capt)
NZ403575 F/Sgt. Colin James CAMPBELL RNZAF Age 29 (WOP/AG)

This is taken from Errol Martyn's 'For Your Tomorrow' Vol 2 Pg. 72

If you wish to contact me off line, please feel free to do so at awarculus@xtra.co.nz

Cheers,
Digger

**Henk Welting** · 4th October 2008, 13:22

Sorry Glen that I omitted PARKINSON being the pilot of BF343 and also killed in the accident.
Regards,
Henk.

**Steve Smith** · 4th October 2008, 19:15

Gents,

Just a little bit more information that maybe of interest.

The crew were posted to No.218 Squadron via No.1651 Con.unit w.e.f 19th October 1942. Sergeant Parkinson flew his first two op's as second pilot to the squadron's C/O Wing Commander Morris (23.10.42) and to A Flights C/O S/Ldr Hiles DFC (26.10.42). He then completed a further 20 op's failing to return from his 21st against Stuttgart.

The Short Stirling Mk.I HA-M s/n BF.343 was carrying 32x30lb I.B + 90x4lb 'X' Type I.B + 990 x 4lb I.B. The route that night was Rye-5000N/0015E-4857N/0422E-4846N-0752E.

Taken via No.218 Squadron ORB / BC Loss Card.

Regards

Steve